Introduction
On this page we have collected the most beautiful or most interesting places to have the time of your life during your vacation in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The articles range from the best tracks for biking to the trails for hiking, and slopes for downhill skiing and Nordic skiing. From restaurants where you can eat for all budgets, to places to have a coffee, an aperitif or go partying at night.
You should always remember that Cortina is a small mountain town. Those who love nature and relaxation will spend unforgettable moments there, but it can't offer the same stimuli of a large metropolis. If you are looking for large hypermarkets, fast food chains, multiplex cinemas, and huge clubs, it is not the ideal choice for your vacation.
Cortina is a town that is greatly affected by seasonality. During a few months of the year most activities may be closed. If you are not clear about the dynamics of tourist influx in mountain places, we highly recommend reading this article:
The best hikes in Cortina
Hiking is one of the best ways to get in touch with nature, learning to respect the mountains and reconnecting with that part of us that we sometimes forget, because some of us, as humans, live surrounded by concrete and stress.
Hiking in Cortina d'Ampezzo is a sport that can be done all year round. On hot days we recommend going into the woods, so that you can protect yourself from the heat by staying in the shade of the trees. On milder days it might be preferable to go to the high mountains, so that you can enjoy wonderful views without having to sweat too much. In winter you can walk on roads where the snow has been packed by snowmobiles or snowcats. We talk about it in the next chapter.
Whatever your expectations, from a simple walk to a more challenging hike, we have an entire section on our website about hiking in Cortina. The page is divided into categories: from walks for everyone to the most challenging hikes.
However, all our hikes, even the most challenging ones, are written for normal people, certainly not hyper-trained athletes. If you have a passion for walking, and an average workout, you will have no problem doing any of the hikes we recommend.
If you'd like to explore this topic further, below, you can read our article on the best treks of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
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Winter hikes in Cortina
Winters are not only for skiing. For those who prefer to experience the mountains without skis on their feet, there are several trails equipped for winter hiking, which can be tackled either on foot or with touring skis. All trails lead to beautiful mountain lodges where you can stop to eat, catch some sun and maybe sledding down to the town, both during the day and in the evening.
Always remember to dress appropriately; cold weather, especially on the feet, is always a possibility and is not nice to walk cold. Remember also that safety is important: if you go walking on trails of packed snow always take with you snow crampons to put on your shoes, so you don't slip on the ice.
If you would like more information about hiking in winter, please read the page where we talked about it:
Skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina's main sport is undoubtedly skiing. This is the winter activity par excellence, which has brought Cortina to fame, both as one of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world, and as an Alpine World Ski Championships location.
Skiing is not only downhill. Nordic skiing is also possible on the Cortina's slopes, with one of the most beautiful tracks in the world, where the historic cross-country race Dobbiaco-Cortina, one of Italy's largest cross-country skiing competitions.
Last but not least, skiing is not only on groomed slopes. In Cortina you can also practice ski mountaineering, the most physically demanding, which has been making a big comeback in recent times among outdoor enthusiasts.
If you'd like to know more about this topic, please read the next page, where we deepen skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo:
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Cycling and mountain biking in Cortina
For cycling enthusiasts the mountains offer personal challenges and contact with nature, away from the busy, smog filled streets of the city. The climb can be an incentive for traditional athletes, or it can be easily cheated, with the help of the electric bikes, present in every rental in the valley.
If you are a road cyclist, you can tackle four Dolomite passes in Cortina, all different, but all capable of severely testing your endurance. If, on the other hand, you are a mountain biker, you will be able to find many trails suitable for pedaling through nature, from the most touristy to the most challenging, as well as some trails equipped for downhill.
If you are among those who prefer to take it easy and you are more interested in the scenery than the sweating, but you want to experience the pleasure of an outing on two wheels, you can rent a pedal-assisted bicycle. If this topic tickles your curiosity, we recommend reading the page on cycling in Cortina d'Ampezzo below:
Where to eat well in Cortina
After all the activities we've described, probably you're a little hungry. Don't worry, Cortina can satisfy every palate, from those looking for a quick sandwich or simply a pizza, to those who want a classy dinner, with starter, first course, second course and even a good bottle of wine.
With our tips, you'll know where to go for every price range you want to aim for: from the cheap snack in the pizza by the slice, to the top notch starred restaurant that can provide the perfect fulfillment for your vacation.
If this topic has intrigued you and you'd like to explore it further, or you are simply curious to find out more about Cortina's restaurants, all you have to do is read the page below, where we tell you everything you need to know about eating in Cortina:
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Eating in a mountain lodge
After a good hike or a day of skiing, there is nothing better than a good meal to restore the lost calories. Both in summer and winter, Cortina d'Ampezzo mountain lodges are always ready to welcome the hungry tourist.
The name alpine hut or refuge suggest spartan locations, so we refer to them as mountain lodges, because they are, generally, fancy places that offer high quality dishes and selections of wines at the same level of the restaurants in the town.
If you are not willing to walk, some mountain lodges can also be reached by car or ski lift, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views without having to struggle. If you want to explore this topic further, we recommend you read the page beneath, dedicated to eating in a refuge in Cortina.
Where to party in Cortina
Vacations are not just about sporting activities and eating, sometimes being on vacation means also partying, and Cortina offers many options to party people. The Veneto region is famous in Italy for the "thirst" of its inhabitants, with its amazing wines and the Aperol Spritz, we are also spiritually near the Austrians and the Germans, so Bavaria with its light beer and forest-scented grappas. If you want to let yourself go, you'll surely find the right place for you.
Ampezzo's nightlife is mainly concentrated in the bars and the few clubs of the center, or in the immediate vicinity. In high season they turn into gathering places frequented by tourists and locals.
Depending on your preference, you can choose wine bars, breweries or disco bars, where you can relax or, in some cases, dance. During the busiest moments of the year, discos also open, where you can dance into the night.
If you enjoy nightlife and want to learn more about the mountain "spirit," please read the page below.
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Other must read articles
In this article we talked about the things to do to experience Cortina to the fullest, but that's not the only must-see page on our website.
We have written another page, very related to this one, where we recommend some of the most interesting things to do and visit in Cortina, we recommend that you read it:
If your vacation lasts a few days you may also want to see other things in the vicinity of Cortina, assuming that you have a car. In this case, we invite you to read the following page, where we give you some must-see tips:
If Cortina has impressed you, you may want to know some curiosities about our small town. Since this is something that also interests us, we have written several informative articles about the town, its history and traditions. You can read them below:
Conclusion
We hope you liked this page about experiencing Cortina d'Ampezzo. Before saying goodbye, we would suggest you read our home page, with all the articles we wrote about Cortina d'Ampezzo.
If you want to thank us you can read the page Support us. If you only want to suggest a change, propose something or just say hello, in the section contacts and info you'll find all the ways to reach us.
